Ministry of Islamic Affairs Investigates Fraud Allegations Against Umrah Pilgrimage Facilitator

  • Maldives
  • Travel
PUBLISHED 15 January 2025

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has launched an investigation into allegations of fraudulent activities by a company authorized to organize Umrah pilgrimages for Maldivians this year.


In a message to the media today, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed revealed that the accused company allegedly withdrew USD from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) under the guise of facilitating Umrah pilgrimages. However, the company is reported to have neither sent any pilgrims nor fulfilled its obligations, instead relying on fake documents to justify the transactions.


As per regulations, USD is issued for Umrah pilgrims upon submission of departure tickets and related documentation. The ministry, however, has not disclosed the name of the company under investigation.


If the allegations are proven, the company faces severe penalties, including a fine of MVR 30,000, suspension of its operating license, and referral to the police for further investigation.


This case surfaced during a broader inquiry into Al Hijra Travels and Tours, a company accused of leaving 23 Maldivian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia last December. The stranded pilgrims were finally repatriated last Saturday.


Additionally, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has identified other companies violating the regulations outlined in the Gazette issued last October. As a result, 19 companies have been fined MVR 5,000 each for non-compliance.